Matthew ALSTON [3125]

  General Notes:

Matthew was living 30 June 1653. Death date from Heralds Visitation to ESS, he was the third son.
However Matthew was not mentioned by name in his grandfather's will, only a Martha. Because of the lack of any evidence of a daughter Martha, her inclusion in the Will is taken to be a transcription error of Matthew, from the past.

Baptisms
Belchamp Otten St Ethelbert & All Saints Baptism Date 24 Nov 1602 Forename Mathew Sex M Father Forename John Father Surname ALLSTON
Notes Seax D-P 214-1-1 File Number 20898
Ref: Free Reg (M Terbrack 2013)

Essex Hearth Tax, Hinckford Hundred 1671.
Toppesfield Mathew Alliston 6 hearths.

The Manor of Husses Toppesfield: William Cratchrode Jnr held this Manor in 1585, about the latter end of Queen Elizabeth it was holden by John Alston of Belchamp-Oton, who gave it to his third son . . . . . Matthew, and he having no issue bequeathed it to . . . . . Thomas Cracherode.
Ref: History of the County of Essex. Rev P Morant Vol II ERO

ALSTON v. CRACHROD.
Bill, 6 June 1679, by William Alston of Heddingham Sible, co. Essex, gent., brother and executor, of Matthewe Alston, late of Topsfeild, said co. gent., decd., v. Thomas Crachrod, Christopher Layer and Mary Hobart.
The said Matthew was possessed of a messuage and about 60 acres of land in Topsfeild, of the yearly value of about L30 and personalty worth about L300 besides securities; and about three years since, finding himself very weak in body and infirm by reason of the greatness of his age, and not sufficient effectually to manage his business and affairs of such concern, he did betake himself to sojourn with one Thomas Crachrod of Cusse hall in Topsfeild, gent., where he soon after died. But before his death, viz. about October 1677, he made his will, under which complainant was residuary legatee. And very soon after, before complainant was or could be permitted to come into the room where the goods and chattels, and writings &c. of the said deceased were contained, the said Crachrode went into the said room and removed the said effects. They have also wrongfully possessed themselves of the said
messuage &c. &c.
Defendants know nothing as to the value of Matthew's estate, but say that for 4 or 5 years before his death, he being very diseased and infirm in his body, and having some time before demised away the said messuage, reserving only a room or two to himself, he being there in a helpless condition, and wanting conveniences of all sorts, came to Thomas Crachrode's house, and did frequently eat and drink at his table, and was there received and entertained, at first as a neighbour, and afterwards as a sojourner. Crachrode denies possessing himself of the goods of deceased.
Matthew sold the said farm (called Hoses) to Crachrode about 5 years since, a fine being duly levied thereof.
Ref Hamilton 552 1679
Alstoniana Pg 181

CRATCHERODE v. ALSTON.
Bill, 27 June 1681 by Anne and Dorothy Cratcherode, infants, by Thomas Cratcherode their father, v. William Alston, brother and executor of the late Matthew Alston of Topsfeild, co. Essex, gent.
The complainants demand payment of legacies of L5 apiece bequeathed to them as "daughters of his cousin Cratchrode of Cusshall" by the said Matthew, and which William refuses to pay because they are still under age.
Ref Hamilton 88/58 1681

  Research Notes:

February 2007 - Chelmsford Record Office Cust Hall searched and photographed Hosie searched and photographed No record of Mathew in Stisted Churh. No record of his death/burial in Toppesfield for 1677 Stisted church records unreadable
S Perrett

  Other Records

1. Matthew Alston: Will, 7 Nov 1677, Toppesfield ESS.
WILL MATHEW ALSTON
In the name of God Amen
I Mathew Alston of Topsfield in the county of Essex, gent, do (conses. . . . . ) this my last Will and Testament in maner and form as follows
I . . . . . my will and that my body shall be decently buryed in the Chancel of the Parish Church of Topsfield by my executor to whom I give five pounds to defray the charges of my funeral
Item; I give to the poor of Topsfield the sum of five pounds to be distributed amongst them my Mr Erle and Mr Wilde and my wish is that all my wheat which lye in my chamber at HOSY be in the same maner distributed equally to the poor
Item; I give to my cosen An Cratchrod and to my cosen Dorothy Cratchrode daughters of my cosen Cratchrode of Cuss (Cust Hall Toppesfield) had the sum of five pounds apiece
Item; I give to Sarah Hubbard servant of my cosen Cratchrode the sum of three pounds
Item; I give unto my brother Harry Alston (Henry) and his eldest sonne the sum of five pounds to be divided between them
Item; I give to Daniel Alston sonne of my brother Harry Alston the sum of Twenty shillings and the sum of money which he owes me
Item; I give to my brother Lestrange Alston a long hutch which is in my chamber at Hosy
Item; I give to my sister Alston of . . . . . and to Elizabeth her daughter the two cups in my sisters possession
Item; I give to my nephew John Alston the horse which is in his possession
Item; I give my chest of drawers in the parlor chamber at Hosy to Mr Wild and my cosen Dorothy Cratchrod of Taylors
Item; I give my baldfaced horse and the little Hobby to Mrs. Kemp and my cosen Thomas Cratchrode of Cust Hall leaving the choice of them to Mrs Kemp
Item; I give Mr Erle my gelding in my brother Harry (Henry) Alstons possession
Item; I give my brother William all the rest of my estate not disposed when my debts, legacies and funeral charges are discharged and I do nominate my loving brother William Alston sole executor of this my last Will and Testament
In witness whereof I have . . . . . my hand and seale the twenty third day of October 1677
Signed and seal in the presence of
Christopher Layer
. . . . . OH. . . . .
Mary Bull
7th November 1677 (in Latin)

Will Essex Record Office D/ABW 68/178 D/ABR 10
Level: Category Archdeaconry records
Level: Fonds COMMISSARY OF BISHOP OF LONDON
Dates of Creation 7 November 1677
Probate granted 1725 - Jul - 22.
Copy on file.